Molasses Ph Problems and Ph question in general

[Buzkill]

Hi all,
Well we are now 18 days into flowering and the girls are looking good.
A couple of questions on what's going on.

First question: I have been using 2 cups of molasses in 120 liters (32 gallons more or less). I dissolve the Molasses in warmer water and let it sit while it bubbles for a few hours. I use warmer water to help break the molasses down to liquid. How does molasses affect pH? Should I use something else in the hydro rez? This is my first grow and with only 6 weeks or less to go I don't want to kill the girls just yet.

Secondly: Does anyone have a formula for adding pH Up and Down?
You know "for X amount of solution at 6.6 add Y amount of pH Down"
I have been using sprayer bottles and going with the 6 squirts then measure method and it has worked so far but what a PITA

Thanks,
Buz

Buzkill Reviewed by Buzkill on 10-18-2010. Molasses Ph Problems and Ph question in general Hi all, Well we are now 18 days into flowering and the girls are looking good. A couple of questions on what's going on. First question: I have been using 2 cups of molasses in 120 liters (32 gallons more or less). I dissolve the Molasses in warmer water and let it sit while it bubbles for a few hours. I use warmer water to help break the molasses down to liquid. How does molasses affect pH? Should I use something else in the hydro rez? This is my first grow and with only 6 weeks or Rating: 5

[SmokeMyPiece]

Hey Buzz, so you're just using molasses water?

For ph, I just did a test run on 1 Gal of the water being used.
Everyone's water is likely different.
Add an amount that you can use as a scale.

example using vinegar:
-Tested ph before = 7.0
- Added 1 tsp vinegar and mixed well. tested after 30min = 6.0 - 6.1

So for me, after i add all nutes, i know 1 tsp/Gal will drop the Ph about 1 full point.

Always heard against using molasses in hydro, got any pics to settle the dispute?

[Slevinkal]

Ive been considering feeding a teaspoon of cs when watering my plants during veg and a teaspoon of black strap per gallon when watering in flower. When i feed nutes i wont add the cs or black strap. Does this sound about right for a soil grow?

[Buzkill]

Hey Buzz, so you're just using molasses water?

For ph, I just did a test run on 1 Gal of the water being used.
Everyone's water is likely different.
Add an amount that you can use as a scale.

example using vinegar:
-Tested ph before = 7.0
- Added 1 tsp vinegar and mixed well. tested after 30min = 6.0 - 6.1

So for me, after i add all nutes, i know 1 tsp/Gal will drop the Ph about 1 full point.

Always heard against using molasses in hydro, got any pics to settle the dispute?

No, sorry I am using a nute solution and adding the molasses water to top off once a week.

I use pH Up and Down from my local hydro store.

So far no ill effects from using molasses in my Ebb and Grow system, BUT this is my first grow so...... who knows.
The biggest thing I read/heard before on the molasses is to make sure it is fully dissolved in the water BEFORE you add it into the rez. It takes a while to liquefy but once it does I have not, yet anyways, had an issue.

I also check the pH after I add all the nutes.
Thanks for the info and looking forward to more from folks.

Cheers,
Buz

[tinytoon]

Unfortunately there is no general receipe for how mauch PH adjustment to be added blah blah blah. That you will have to figure out yourself with your water. I was using liquid adjustment in my 55 gal drum but found out the dry works so much better in a large res.

[ZZTops]

Is it just me or dose that seem like a lot of B/S Molasses...?

[SmokeMyPiece]

Nice avy! ZZtop is my Shit! :thumbsup:

Have tried molasses in a soil grow and they seemed to like it. interested in its application in hydro tho..

Anyone know > are there still gonna be the little microbes present in a soil-less medium, that take advantage of the molasses?

[tinytoon]

2 cups in a 32 gal res doesnt seem to bad, I have never used it myself but 2 cups is aprox what ....... 250ml??

[ZZTops]

Thanks Guys...

I use B/S Molasses in both Soil and Hydro and the plants love it...

In Hydro I find it can really muck up a res and clog a drip system, not to mention PH fluctuation if your not careful...

I'm using 1ml per gal right now and that seems to work well with the plants and res so far and was wondering if the OP was seeing any of these problems using 8ml per gal as stated...?

[Buzkill]

OK, 1 cup is about 240 ml so 2 cups is 480ml, maybe too much but the girls seem to like it. The buds are popping well so far. I used molasses on a MG grow (miracle gro) and the buds got really puffy and thick.
I have noticed that I need to be careful on making sure the molasses is fully dissolved. That seems to be the key for me. No gunked up lines yet so we'll see.
Thanks all for the info and happy days
Buz